Cigarette transfer assembly

ABSTRACT

A roller with a friction surface is positioned adjacent the cigarette transfer drum and is driven by a transmission off the transfer drum drive to rotate at a greater speed than the transfer drum. The greater speed of the roller allows the roller to positively roll the cigarettes on the drum prior to ejection in order to seal the free end of the mouthpiece paper on itself while also imparting a roundness to the cigarette. The greater speed of the roller also serves to positively eject the cigarettes into a chute below the transfer drum.

United States Patent [1 1 Van Hall Apr. 22, 1975 1 1 CIGARETTE TRANSFERASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Floyd Van Hall, Durham, NC.

[73] Assignee: Liggett & Myers Incorporated, New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 446,926

[52] US. Cl. 131/28; 131/37; 131/58; 131/67; 198/20 C; 198/165 [51] Int.Cl. A24c 05/35 [58] Field of Search 131/28, 37, 58, 67, 29; 198/20 C165.76

[56] References Cited UN1TED STATES PATENTS 437,207 9/1890 Kinney 131/671.000.736 8/1911 Koerner 198/20 C UX 1,550,545 8/1925 Hohn 131/373.495.696 2/1970 Molins ct a1. 198/165 X 3.623.598 11/1971 Anfossi198/165 3.712.455 1/1973 Anfossi 198/165 Primary Eraminer-Joseph S.Reich Attorney, Agent, or Firml(eruyon & Kenyon [57] ABSTRACT A rollerwith a friction surface is positioned adjacent the cigarette transferdrum and is driven by a transmission off the transfer drum drive torotate at a greater speed than the transfer drum. The greater speed ofthe roller allows the roller to positively roll the cigarettes on thedrum prior to ejection in order to seal the free end of the mouthpiecepaper on itself while also imparting a roundness to the cigarette. Thegreater speed of the roller also serves to positively eject thecigarettes into a chute below the transfer drum.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CIGARETTE TRANSFER ASSEMBLY This inventionrelates to a cigarette transfer assembly.

As disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 28.640. filedFeb. I5. 1970. now US. Pat. No. 3.799.324. issued Mar. 26. 1974. it hasbeen known to transfer cigarettes from a cigarette making machinedirectly to a cigarette packaging machine on a one-toone ratio basis bythe use ofa transfer apparatus. As described. the apparatus for movingthe cigarettes between the making machine and the packaging machineutilizes one conveyor for moving the cigarettes from the making machinein a stream of individually spaced cigarettes to an elevated positionand a second conveyor which receives the cigarettes in stacked fashionfrom the first conveyor for transport to the packaging machine.

In order to allow a shut down of one or the other of the making machineand packaging machine while the other machine continues to operate. ithas also been known to incorporate a reservoir system between theconveyors of the transfer apparatus in order to accommodate theresulting fluctuations. For example. should the packaging machine beinoperative for any reason. the making machine can continue to producewith the excess cigarettes being moved into the reservoir. Once thepackagine machine has resumed operation. the cigarettes within thereservoir can be slowly depleted.

Generally. where a reservoir is included within the system. the streamof cigarettes from the cigarette making machine are conveyed to atransfer drum at an elevated position. Thereafter. the cigarettes aredirected downwardly into a chute which passes by the reservoir. In orderto maintain the cigarettes on the transfer drum until deposit into thechute. a pair of parallel overlying endless belts have been disposedabout a portion of the transfer drum to act as a hold-down means. Thesebelts have been guided about a guide roller positioned astride thetransfer drum at the point of exit of the cigarettes from the drum.

As is known. in the manufacture of filter tipped cigarettes. somecigarette making machines bring two tobacco columns in abutment withopposite ends ofa filter plug and thereafter wrap a strip of waterproofwrapping or mouthpiece paper about the abutted tobacco columns andfilter plug. Usually. the wrapping paper is coated with an adhesive sothat. as the paper is wrapped about the tobacco columns and filter plug,the paper seals to tobacco columns and filter plug and the trailing endsealed over the forward end to form a seam. ln these cases. the tobaccocolumns. filter plug and paper are rolled in the making machines beforedelivery. However. in order to seal the paper on itself. a relativelylarge amount of heat has usually been required in the making machines.Furthermore. in some instances. it has been found that so much excessiveheat has been generated that the adhesive on the wrapping paper hasdried out before scaling. As a result of the paper not being securelysealed. the filter plug and- /or the tobacco column can become loose andcan separate from the cigarette. Further. should the wrapping paper notbe uniformly sealed. a free edge will appear on the cigarette instead ofa smooth seam and the appearance of the resultant cigarette will beimpaired.

Accordingly. it is an object of the invention to provide a filter tipcigarette with a uniform round appearance at the filter tip end.

It is another object of the invention to eliminate the need for heat ina cigarette making machine in order to seal a strip of wrapping paperabout a filter plug and a tobacco column. 1

lt is another object of the invention to avoid an earlier drying out ofadhesive on a strip of wrapping paper used to secure a filter plug to atobacco column.

Briefly. the invention provides a means for rolling a cigarette outsideof a cigarette making machine in order to seal a strip of wrapping paperon itself about a filter plug and tobacco column of the cigarette. Moreparticularly. this means is incorporated in a cigarette transferassembly located between a cigarette making machine and a cigarettepackaging machine.

The cigarette transfer assembly includes a rotatable transfer drum formoving a continuous stream of cigarettes from a receiving position to anejection position. The stream of cigarettes is composed of individuallyspaced apart cigarettes and is delivered directly from the cigarettemaking machine in any suitable manner. In addition. a means is providedfor retaining the stream of cigarettes on the transfer drum between thereceiving position and the ejection position. According to theinvention. a roller is positioned adjacent the drum at the ejectionposition. This roller is provided with a friction surface for engagingthe cigarettes on the drum and is driven at a greater speed of rotationthan the drum to cause each cigarette in the ejection position to berolled on the drum prior to ejection. During rolling. the wrapping paperwhich has been adhesively coated is smoothly and uniformly adhered toitself about the circumference of the cigarette under a pressureimparted by roller and drum.

The friction surface of the roller is made of a gum rubber strip securedabout the periphery of the roller. Alternatively. any other suitablefriction surface can be utilized. in addition. the strip is of a widthto extend across the width of mouthpiece paper on the cigarette well asacross a substantial portion of the cigarette. Alternatively. two narrowstrips can be mounted on the roller with only one of the strips used toroll the wrapping paper.

Since the cigarettes are rolled after being passed from the cigarettemaking machine. there is no need to generate any heat in the makingmachine in order to seal the wrapping paper on itself.

In order to transfer the stream of cigarettes from the cigarette makingmachine to the transfer drum. a suitable conveying system can be used.for example. as described in the above mentioned pending patentapplication. That is. the cigarettes can be conveyed of pairs of endlessbelts which are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to thediameter of a cigarette. Where the belts travel at the same speed. thecigarette can be held under a light friction force. In this case. it isnot necessary to have the tail-end of the wrapping paper secured to theremainder of the wrapping paper before reaching the ejection position ofthe transfer drum. Alternatively. the conveyor belts can be timed tomove at different speed to effect a rolling of the cigarettes prior toarrival at the transfer drum. This rolling effect may be such as toeffect a temporary bonding of the tail-end of the wrapping paper to theremainder of the paper.

During operation. a strip of waterproof wrapping is initially wrappedabout a filter plug and a tobacco column within the cigarette makingmachine as is known. The cigarette is then conveyed to the transfer drumof the transfer assembly. A small amount of heat can be generated withinthe maker to cause some sealing of the paper to the tobacco columnand/or filter plug. However. insufficient heat is applied to seal thepaper to itself. During this time. the paper becomes tacky. Thereafter.upon passing between the nip formed between the transfer drum and theroller. the cigarette is rolled and the wrapping paper is sealed toitself by the pressure of the transfer drum and roller. This gives asmooth seam to the wrapping paper along with a round appearance from theend.

Of course. the apparatus for sealing the wrapping paper on itselfand forrounding up the cigarette can be used in any suitable environment. suchas with a cigarette making machine only.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description and appended claimstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGv I illustrates a side view of a cigarette transfer assemblyincorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial side view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the roller of FIG. 2 with a pairof gum rubber strips thereon; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a detail front view of the transfer drum and rolleraccording to the invention.

Referring to FIG. I. a transfer assembly is mounted e.g. between acigarette making machine (not shown) and a cigarette packaging machine(not shown). The transfer assembly 10 is connected with a verticalconveyor II which is connected directly to the cigarette making machineto convey a stream of individually spaced apart cigarettes 12 directedfrom the maker to an elevated position. For this purpose. the verticalconveyor II has pairs of endless belts l3, 14 which convey thecigarettes upwardly. The outer belts I4 to the left as viewed. travelabout a pulley wheel 15 and are driven. e.g. off the making machine. Thetransfer assembly 10 may communicate with a conveyor. hopper orreservoir system. none of which is shown. at the delivery end in orderto facilitate transfer of the cigarettes to the cigarette packagingmachine.

The transfer assembly 10 includes a rotatable transfer drum 16 whichreceives the cigarettes from the vertical conveyor 11, an ejectionroller 17 and a retaining means 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer drum I6 is constructed as apair of spaced apart coaxial plates 19 each of which is shaped at theperiphery with a ledge 20 to guide an endless belt 13 of the verticalconveyor 11. As shown (FIG. 1). the belts 13 pass around the plates I9of the drum l6 and over a guide roller 21. In addition. the plates 19are spaced apart a distance to receive the cigarettes lengthwise. Thedrum 16 is positioned astride the conveyor 11 to receive both the beltsl3 and the individual cigarettes from the vertical conveyor 11 directly.

Referring to FIG. 1, the retaining means 18 is constructed to retain thereceived cigarettes 12 on the transfer drum 16. This means 18 includes apair of endless belts 22 which are guided about the transfer drum 16from a receiving position 23 to an ejection position 24 by a pluralityof guide rolls 25 and the ejection roller 17. As shown in FIG. 2. theendless belts 22 are guided over the peripheral ledges 20 of the plates19 to overlie the respective ends of the cigarettes 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. the ejection roller 17 is provided with afriction surface in the form of a pair of gum rubber strips 26. Thestrips 26 are secured to the roller 17 in any suitable fashion and arespaced from the surface of the plates 19 of the transfer drum 16 so asto define a nip at the ejection position 24 substantially equal to orslightly less than the diameter of the cigarettes 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ejection roller 17 is connected to the transferdrum 16 by means of a transmission 27 of suitable construction so as tobe driven at a speed greater than the speed of the transfer drum 16. Thetransfer drum. in turn. is connected to a suitable drive (not shown) soas to be driven at the speed of the cigarette making machine. As shown,the roller 17 is connected to a gear 28 which is in meshing engagementwith a gear 29 mounted on a drive shaft 30 of the drum 16. The relativespeeds of the roller 17 and drum 16 are such as to permit the roller 17to roll a cigarette 12 for at least one circumference on the drum 16prior to ejection. For purposes of example only. for a transfer drum l6ofa diameter ll 25/32 inches and a roller 17 with gum rubber stripshaving an outer diameter of 2% inches. and with a spacing between thedrum l6 and roller 17 such as to compress the cigarettes about 0.060inch. the peripheral linear speed of the transfer drum I6 is 200 feetper minute and the peripheral linear speed of the roller 17 is 275 feetper minute. This allows the cigarette to contact the drum 16 over adistance of about seven-eighths inch.

The cigarettes are ejected from between the transfer drum l6 and theroller 17 at an accelerated speed. Thus. jamming of the assembly at theejection position 24 can be effectively eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 4, each cigarette 12 is of the mouthpiece type inwhich a filter plug 31 of any suitable construction is joined to atobacco column 32 by a strip of wrapping paper 33. These cigarettes 12are usually delivered by the conveyor II to the drum 16 in a state inwhich the slightly moist or self-adhesive wrapping paper 33 is not fullybonded to the joint between the tobacco column 32 and plug 31. Forpurposes of illustration. the strip of wrapping paper 33 is shown ashaving an unsecured trailing tail end 34.

During operation. the vertical conveyor 11 transfers the stream ofindividual cigarettes 12 onto the transfer drum 16 via the belts 13 ofthe conveyor 11 and the belts 22 of the retaining means 18 at thereceiving position 23. The drum 16 then conveys the stream of cigarettesto the ejection position 24 where the cigarettes are individuallyejected. e.g. into a chute. As each cigarette l2 approaches the ejectionroller 17. the overlying belts 22 begin to move away from the cigarettes12 (FIG. 1). In this way. the cigarettes 12 are caused to be furtherconveyed only by the drum I6 and the ejection roller 17. As eachcigarette 12 comes into contact with the friction strips 26 of theejection roller 17, each cigarette 12 is caused to roll in clockwisemanner. as viewed. on the belts 13 on the plates 19 of the drum I6 dueto the difference in surface speeds between the drum l6 and roller 17.This rolling action causes the tail end 34 of the wrapping paper to berolled down on the plug 31 and tobacco column 32 within the nip betweenthe drum l6 and roller 17. i.e. between the belts 13 on the drum l6 andthe strips 26 on the roller 17. The extent of the nip is such as topermit a complete revolution of each cigarette 12 therein prior toejection.

Upon passing out of the nip. each cigarette 12 is ejected at anaccelerated speed relative to the speed at which the cigarettes areconveyed about the drum 16 due to the speed differential between thedrum l6 and roller 17. The ejected cigarettes are thus spaced apart asthey eject from the transfer drum 16.

The rolling action imparted to the cigarettes 12 in the nip between thedrum l6 and roller 17 occurs under a slight compressive force such thatthe ejected cigarette has a more uniformly rounded shape. That is. thetail end 34 of the wrapping paper 33 is pressed into the cigarette l2and rolled to produce a smooth seam. For this purpose. the nip is of athickness slightly less than the predetermined diameter of thecigarettes 12. The invention thus provides a means of eliminating theneed of heat within a cigarette making machine to effect a sealing of astrip of wrapping paper to itself. As a result. early drying out of theadhesive material on the wrapping paper can be avoided. Further. byproviding a uniform manner of positively imparting a mechanical rollingforce on the cigarette. an even seal of the wrapping paper to itself canbe achieved. This effects a smooth seam and imparts an aestheticallypleasing appearance to the end of a filter tipped cigarette.

lt is to be noted that the transfer assembly may also be used fornon-filter cigarettes and in such a case the speed of the roller 17 canbe reduced.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cigarette transfer assembly.

a rotatable transfer drum for moving a continuous stream of cigarettesfrom a receiving position to an ejection position. said stream beingcomposed of individually spaced apart cigarettes.

means for retaining said stream of cigarettes on said transfer drumbetween said positions:

a roller positioned adjacent said drum at said ejection position. saidroller having a friction surface thereon for engaging the cigarettes ofsaid stream; and

means for rotating said roller at a greater speed of rotation than saiddrum to cause each cigarette in said ejection position to be rolled onsaid drum prior to ejection.

2. In a cigarette transfer assembly as set forth in claim 1, saidfriction surface being a gum rubber strip secured to said roller.

3. In a cigarette transfer assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidroller is spaced from said drum to form a nip slightly less than apredetermined diameter of a cigarette in said stream.

4. In a cigarette transfer assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidmeans includes a pair of endless belts passing over said drum betweensaid positions to hold the cigarettes of said stream on said drum.

5. In a cigarette transfer assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidroller rotates at a speed relative to said drum to roll each cigarettethrough one revolution of a cigarette prior to ejection to seal a stripof selfadhering wrapping paper of each cigarette to itself and to ejecteach cigarette at an accelerated speed.

6. In a cigarette transfer assembly.

a rotatable transfer drum for moving cigarettes from a receivingposition to an ejection position; means for retaining said cigarettes onsaid transfer drum between said positions:

. a roller positioned adjacent said drum at said ejection position. saidroller having a friction surface thereon for engaging the cigarettes ofsaid stream: and

means for rotating said roller at a greater speed of rotation than saiddrum to cause each cigarette in said ejection position to be rolled onsaid drum prior to ejection under a pressure sufficient to impart around cross-sectional shape to each ciga- ICIIC.

7. In a cigarette transfer assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidroller is spaced from said drum to form a nip substantially equal to apreset diameter of a cigarette in said stream.

8. In a cigarette transfer assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidroller rotates at a speed relative to said drum to roll each cigarettethrough one circumference on said roller prior to ejection to seal astrip of selfadhering wrapping paper of each cigarette to itself and toeject each cigarette at an accelerated speed.

9. In combination.

a rotatable drum for moving cigarettes from a receiving position to anejection position. a roller positioned adjacent said drum at saidejection position. said roller having a surface for engaging a cigaretteat said ejection position. and

means for rotating said roller at a greater speed of rotation than saiddrum and in an opposite sense of direction to cause a cigarette in saidejection position to be rolled on said drum prior to ejection under apressure sufficient to impart a round crosssectional shape to eachcigarette.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 further including means forretaining said cigarettes on said drum in a single stream ofindividually spaced cigarettes between said positions.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPATENT NO. 1 3,878,852 DATED April 22, 1975 |NV ENTOR(S) Floyd Van Hallit is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 29, change "packagine" to packaging.

Column 4 line 30, change "inch to inches.

Claim 4, line 3, change said means" to said first means.

Signed and Scaled this [SEAL] ninth D y f Marqh1976 A ttes t:

RUTH C. M A SON C. MARSHALL DANN AIIeSIHIg Officer Commissioneroj'Patents and Trademarks

1. In a cigarette transfer assembly, a rotatable transfer drum formoving a continuous stream of cigarettes from a receiving position to anejection position, said stream being composed of individually spacedapart cigarettes, means for retaining said stream of cigarettes on saidtransfer drum between said positions; a roller positioned adjacent saiddrum at said ejection position, said roller having a friction surfacethereon for engaging the cigarettes of said stream; and means forrotating said roller at a greater speed of rotation than said drum tocause each cigarette in said ejection position to be rolled on said drumprior to ejection.
 1. In a cigarette transfer assembly, a rotatabletransfer drum for moving a continuous stream of cigarettes from areceiving position to an ejection position, said stream being composedof individually spaced apart cigarettes, means for retaining said streamof cigarettes on said transfer drum between said positions; a rollerpositioned adjacent said drum at said ejection position, said rollerhaving a friction surface thereon for engaging the cigarettes of saidstream; and means for rotating said roller at a greater speed ofrotation than said drum to cause each cigarette in said ejectionposition to be rolled on said drum prior to ejection.
 2. In a cigarettetransfer assembly as set forth in claim 1, said friction surface being agum rubber strip secured to said roller.
 3. In a cigarette transferassembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said roller is spaced from saiddrum to form a nip slightly less than a predetermined diameter of acigarette in said stream.
 4. In a cigarette transfer assembly as setforth in claim 1 wherein said means includes a pair of endless beltspassing over said drum between said positions to hold the cigarettes ofsaid stream on said drum.
 5. In a cigarette transfer assembly as setforth in claim 1 wherein said roller rotates at a speed relative to saiddrum to roll each cigarette through one revolution of a cigarette priorto ejection to seal a strip of self-adhering wrapping paper of eachcigarette to itself and to eject each cigarette at an accelerated speed.6. In a cigarette transfer assembly, a rotatable transfer drum formoving cigarettes from a receiving position to an ejection position;means for retaining said cigarettes on said transfer drum between saidpositions; a roller positioned adjacent said drum at said ejectionposition, said roller having a friction surface thereon for engaging thecigarettes of said stream; and means for rotating said roller at agreater speed of rotation than said drum to cause each cigarette in saidejection position to be rolled on said drum prior to ejection under apressure sufficient to impart a round cross-sectional shape to eachcigarette.
 7. In a cigarette transfer assembly as set forth in claim 6wherein said roller is spaced from said drum to form a nip substantiallyequal to a preset diameter of a cigarette in said stream.
 8. In acigarette transfer assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said rollerrotates at a speed relative to said drum to roll each cigarette throughone circumference on said roller prior to ejection to seal a strip ofself-adhering wrapping paper of each cigarette to itself and to ejecteach cigarette at an accelerated speed.
 9. In combination, a rotatabledrum for moving cigarettes from a receiving position to an ejectionposition, a roller positioned adjacent said drum at said ejectionposition, said roller having a surface for engaging a cigarette at saidejection position, and means for rotating said roller at a greater speedof rotation than said drum and in an opposite sense of direction tocause a cigarette in said ejection position to be rolled on said drumprior to ejection under a pressure sufficient to impart a roundcross-sectional shape to each cigarette.